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ZeroTrace HID

Installation & Setup

Flash firmware, connect to the device, verify it's ready

Three steps: flash, connect, verify. Devices ship pre-flashed, flashing only matters when you reset or update.

What you need

  • ZeroTrace Kit, Mini, or Ghost
  • USB-C data cable (most charge-only cables fail silently)
  • Chrome, Edge, or any Chromium-based browser (Web Serial requirement)
  • Windows 10+, macOS 11+, or any modern Linux

1. Flash firmware (only if needed)

Pre-flashed devices skip this. Flash when updating firmware or recovering a wedged unit.

  1. Connect the device's COM port to your computer with a USB-C data cable.
  2. Open the ZeroTrace Web Flasher in Chrome or Edge.
  3. Click Connect, pick the device's serial port, click Flash Firmware.
  4. Wait ~2 minutes. Don't unplug.
  5. Unplug, then re-power.

Linux serial permissions. If the browser shows Failed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort':

# Debian / Ubuntu / Pop / Mint
sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
# Arch / Manjaro
sudo usermod -a -G uucp $USER

Log out and back in.

2. Connect to the device's WiFi

Every ZeroTrace HID device boots its own WPA2 access point.

SettingDefault
SSID[DeviceName] ZT
PasswordZeroTrace
IP192.168.4.1

Steps:

  1. Power the device via the COM port (or any 5 V USB-C source).
  2. Join the ... ZT network.
  3. Open http://192.168.4.1 in any browser.

The web UI opens. From here you can edit scripts, run them live, manage files, and configure settings, see Web UI.

3. Plug the target

The USB port talks to the host you're injecting into.

  1. Plug a USB-C cable from the device's USB port into the target.
  2. The target enumerates the device as a keyboard, mouse, gamepad, or MSC (depending on hid_mode).
  3. The OS-detection feature populates _@detectedOS within ~1 s.

The COM port is now optional, the unit can run from target power alone.

LED status reference

ColorPatternMeaning
GreenSolidPowered on, ready
MagentaSolidScript running
CyanSolidAutostart script running
Orange3 blinksScript execution canceled
Red3 blinks after scriptWrong USB port or charge-only cable on USB side
RedSolidFile-system error, reflash

Troubleshooting first connect

SymptomFix
... ZT SSID not visibleWait 30 s after power-on; verify the device is powered (LED on); reset and retry.
WiFi joins but 192.168.4.1 won't loadDisable any VPN or proxy on the host; try a different browser.
Web flasher can't see the deviceYou're on the USB port, switch to COM.
Target OS doesn't see a keyboardYou're on the COM port, switch to USB.
Red LED blinks after every scriptCable on the USB side is charge-only; swap to a data cable.
WiFi keeps disconnectingPower-only USB hub, connect direct to the host.

If WiFi never appears, perform a factory reset by holding the BOOT button while power-cycling, then re-flash firmware.

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